Kerf-cutting machine



Jan. 18, 1944. w, W SLOANE mam-CUTTING MACHINE' 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19 1943 Jan. 18,l 1944. w. wfsLoANE 2,339,523

KEW-CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. //iam /zaw BY @WW/y www MN mv am, n

Jam 18, 1944 w. w. sLoANE i 2,339,523I

KERF-GUTTING MACH'INE Filed March 19, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 y INVENTOR. Ma/mmm@ JamIS, 1944. w. w. SLO'ANE 2,339,523

KERF- CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

MMM-W www Jan. 18, 1944. w. w. sLoANE 2,339,523

` KERFCUTTING MACHINE v Filed March 19, 194:5- s sheets-sheet 5 NEUTRAL 146' NEUTRAL 134 fof J5@ 35 Jan. 18, 1944. w. w. sLoANE 2,339,523

I KEEP-CUTTING' MACHINE Filed March ,'19 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 J2@r f faz les I nl' n |||||v Il! is@ 191 [4 'als l? ,g2 v

A Tra/aww Patented Jan. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KERF- CUTTING MACHINE Application March 19, 1943, Serial No. 479,717

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in kericutting machines and more particularly relates to an improved Keri-cutting machine of the room and pillar type which is adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall at various desired elevations with respect to the ground.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a new and improved kerf-cutting machine of the class described, together with a novel form of support for the cutter bar permitting the cutter bar to readily follow and cut out a band of impurities in a coal face, spaced above the mine bottom, where the band is uneven or does not conform to the mine floor or roof.

A more specic object of my invention is to provide a novel arrangement of fluid pressure jacks for supporting the cutting element of a korf-cutting machine, together with a novel fluid pressure system for independently controlling operation of the jacks so as to effect elevation and tilting of the cutting element during operation of the machine, to make it possible for the cutting element to follow a denite band in the coal face during the cutting operation.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and With reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a kericutting machine constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the cutter bar in an elevated position;

Figure 2 is a rear end view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the machine shown in Figure l, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view of a portion of the machine shown in Figure l, illustrating certain details of the support for one of the fluid pressure jacks;

Figure 5 is a partial fragmentary front end View of the kerf-cutting machine embodying my invention, with certain parts shown in substantially transverse section;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the front end of the machine, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail partial transverse sectional view of the machine, illustrating certain details of the planetaries for driving the feed drums of the machine, and certain details of the control means for said planetaries; i

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view illustrating certain details of the control means for one of the planetarios, not shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a partial fragmentary transverse sectional View, illustrating the drive to the fluid pumps which supply fluid under pressure to the machine;

Figure 10 is a fluid diagram illustrating the -fluid pressure system, for controlling operation of the machine;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional View taken through one of the control valves for controlling operation of one of the feed drums for the machine, with the valve rotor shown in full;

Figure 12 is a sectional vieW taken substantially along line I2-l2 of Figure 1l;

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken substantially along line Iii-I3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken substantiall along line I fi-I-'l of Figure 11;

Figure l5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line I5-l5 of Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a fragmentary plan view of the control valve, illustrating certain details of the spring connections to the control handle, for holding the control handle in a predetermined position when the hand is removed therefrom.`

The invention illustrated in the drawings is shown as being embodied in a top cutting kerfcutting machine of the roomand pillar type. Said Keri-cutting machine includes a main frame lil, having a horizontally extending cutter bar ll projecting from the front end. thereof. Said cutter Abar has a cutter chain I2 guided for orbital movement thereabout, and as herein shown, is mounted in a recessed cuttingspassageway on the top side of said mainframe. A motor IS is mounted at the rear end of said main frame and forms a means for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, through a sprocket i4 meshing with said cutter chain and herein shown as being splined on the upper end of a vertical shaft I, suitably journaled in said main frame (see Figure 6). Y

A base plate IS having upturned sides and ends and adapted to be slidably movable along the ground, on its bottom, during the cutting opera-r tion, forms a mounting for said kerf-cutting machine on the ground. The kerf-cutting machine is mounted on said base for vertical adjustment Vand for tilting vmovementwitl'l respect thereto by means of three uid pressure jacks Il, Il, two of which, are mounted at opposite sidesA of the of the main frame l and journaled therein and i driven from said motor through a gear train indi# cated generally by reference character l. A bevel pinion 2B on the forward end of said intermediate shaft meshes with and drives a bevel gear 2i journaled on the vertical shaft I5, for

rotatable movement with respect thereto. A sliding clutch 22, herein shown as being a jaw clutch, is provided to selectively drive said shaft and sprocket from said bevel gear.

The feeding means for the machine includes a pair of ,winding drums 23, 23 rotatably mounted on opposite sidesof the main fame Id. Each' of said winding drums has a flexible cable 2li' adapted to be wound thereon or payed off'therefrom, and is adapted to be engaged by a friction band 25 for retarding rotation thereof, when disconnected from the drive motor I3, enabling either one of'said winding drums to serve as a retarding'means to control the travel of the machine .across the coal face during the cutting operation.

The drive from the motor i3 to the winding drumsZS, .23 includes a worm 2 on the. intermediateshaft I8, which meshes with a worm gear 29v on a transversely extending sleeve 3b. VSaid sleeve 38 is journaled in the main frame l0. and forms a drive means for a pair of coaxial planetary gear reduction devices indicated generally at 3l, 3l, arranged at opposite sides of said sleeve. The form of planetary gear shown herein is of the same general. type commonly used in kericutting machines, so need not be described in detailexcept to point out that planetary pinions 32 and 33 of .different pitch diameters and mounted in a-,cageI 315 for. rotation together are meshed respectively with internal gears 35 and 36 (see Figure '7).

The internal .gear et has a hub 3l keyedon a driven shaft 3Q. The cage 34 has a driven portion .lili which encloses the internal gear 36 and which has afriction band li extending there-3 A about, for, holding said cage from rotation. similar friction band 42 surrounds and is adapted to hold the internal. gear 35 from rotation., The planetary pinions', 3?. are meshed with and driven froma sun gear 3 on the sleeve 3%, and when the friction band lll is loose so the cage 35 may freely rotate, and the friction band i2 is tightened to hold the internal gear 35 from rotation, said planetary pinions will orbitally move about said internal gear, to drive the shaft 3!) at a slow `frictionally controlled speed through the internal gear Se, keyed on said shaft. When the friction band l2 is loosened and the friction bandll is tightened, the cage 3l!- willv be held from rotation and the shaft 39 will be driven at a frictionally controlled high speed.

The driven shaft 39 is journalled in a side wall 44 of the main frame l0 and has a pinion ll5 keyed on its outer end, which meshes with an internal gear.l, journaled on its hub on a stub shaftfl, mounted in and projecting outwardly from said main frame. The winding drum 23 is freely mounted on an outwardly projecting hub i9 of said internal gear and has a pin E!) mounted therein for transverse slidable movement with respect thereto. The inner end of said pin is adapted to engage any one of a plurality of apertures 5I, 5l formed in the web of said internal gear, to form a selective drive connection from said internal gear to said winding drum.

The `friction bands il and 32 are engaged with their respective drums, to hold the cage 34 or internal gear 35 from rotation by means of fluid cylinders .and having pistons 59 and 6) movable therein. Each set of said cylinders is mounted in a frame 6l, disposed above and extending across its respective planetary 3i. The piston dhas a plunger 62 mounted therein for limited slidable movement with respect thereto. Said plunger is slidably guided in a lower wall 51 of said frame and has engagement at its outer endwith an abutment member 53, projecting outwardly from. one end of the friction band 42. The

opposite end of 'said friction band has a lug 53 thereon, which abuts a notched 'portion of an inner Wall de of 'said housing (see Figure 6); A

pair of concentric compression springs 64 and 65 encircle said plunger and are interposed between the inside of said piston and a collar 65, mounted on said plunger, to serve as a cushioning means when pressure is applied on said piston to engage said friction band with its associated drum. Said springs are provided to prevent .a sudden gripping of the friction drum by said friction band as fluid is supplied to said cylinder 55 and to enable said band to be uniformlyengaged with said friction drum by said fluid 'cylinder and piston. Said springs also serve to return the pistons l'andd to the head ends of Ytheir respective cylinders, and to empty fluid from said cylinders, when iiuid pressure is relieved therefrom.

In a like manner, a piunger Bl is mounted in the piston for limited slidable movement with respect thereto and is slidably guided in the wall 51 of the frame Si. The end of said plunger opposite from said piston abuts a lug 69 projecting outwardly from the free end of the friction bandili. A pair of coaxial compression springs lil and il encircle said plunger and serve as a cushioning means, effective when applying said friction band through the associated piston 60, and permitting uniform engagementr of said friction band with its associated drum. The fluid pressure system for selectively controlling the admission and release of iiuid under pressure to and from said cylinders and pistons will hereinafter be more fully described as this specication proceeds.

Each of the threee jacks Il', Il, mounted on the base i6 'and forming a vertically adjustable and tilting support for the cutting element, in-

cludes a fluid cylinder 'ifi having a piston l5 extensible therefrom. The two cylinders at the forward end of the machine each have a support bracket'l secured to the inner side thereof adjacent their lower ends, which brackets project laterally from said cylinders in opposite directions and are secured to the main frame l0 adjacent the lower end thereof, by cap screws 18, 18. The upper portion of said forward cylinders each have a support'bracket 79 secured to the inner side thereof and projecting laterally from said cylinder in opposite directions. Said brackets-are secured to Ysaid main frame by nuts and bolts 80, 8S .(seeFigure- 5) The rear fluid cylinder 14 has a relatively Wide support bracket 8| vsecured thereto adjacent its lower inner end and projecting laterally therefrom in opposite directions. Said bracket eX- tends along the lower portion of the rear end wall of the casing for the motor I3, and is secured to said end wall of said motor casing by cap screws 82, 02 (see Figure 2). The upper portion of said cylinder is secured to the rear end wall of said motor bya support bracket 83, projecting laterally in opposite directions from the inside of said cylinder and secured to said rear end wall of said motor by cap screws 84, 84.

The lower ends of the pistons 15, 15 each have an enlarged foot 85 which fits within a socket 86 mounted in and projecting upwardly from the top of the base I (see Figure 2). A cap piece 01 is mounted on the top of said socket portion and encircles the lower end of said piston and the foot 85 to retain said piston on said base plate. Clearance is provided .between said foot and socket and said cap piece and foot and piston, to permit limited axial movement of said piston with respect to said base about its lower end, to permit the jacks I1, I1 to tilt the machine and conform to the angle of inclination of said main frame.

It may be seen from the foregoing that when fluid under pressure is simultaneously admitted to the three cylinders 14, 14 at the same pressure, the cutter bar will be elevated in a plurality of parallel planes and that tilting of said cutter bar may be effected by admitting fluid under pressure to any of said cylinders while the other cylinders are stationary, or by cutting off the flow of fluid to any one or more cylinders, or by releasing fluid pressure therefrom, while the entire cutting element is being elevated or lowered by the other cylinders.

Referring now in particular to the fluid pressure system and the means for controlling the admission and release of fluid to the cylinders 55, 55 and 50, 56, for controlling operation of the planetaries 3|, 3|, and to the fluid cylinders 14, 14, for controlling the elevation or tilting of the cutter bar II, three uid pumps 9|, 92 and 93 are provided. Said fluid pumps are shown as :being of a reversible type so as to provide pressure in the fluid system when the motor I3 is rotating in a :forward or reverse direction, and are herein shown as being mounted in a casing 94 and as being driven from a common drive shaft 95.

The drive to the pumps 0I, 92 and 93 from the motor I3 includes a pinion 96 driven from the gear train I9 and meshing with and driving a gear 91 on the pump drive shaft 95 (see Figure 9).

Fluid is supplied to the pumps 9|, 92 and 93 through a suction line |00 leading from a fluid storage tank |0I. Said suction line |00 is connected to opposite sides of each one of the pumps 9|, 02 and S3, for supplying fluid thereto, when the motor I 3 is rotating in a forward or reverse direction. Check valves indicated generally by reference characters |04, |04 and |05, |05 are provided within said casing, for each pump, to control the direction of the flow of fluid to each pump, when the direction of rotation of the pump is reversed. Said check valves serve a well known function and may be of any well known form and are no part of my present invention, so are not herein shown or described in detail.

Fluid is supplied to the rear fiuid cylinder ,14 by means of the fluid pump 9|. through a pressure line |06 leading from said pump.' A relief valve |01 is connected in said pressure line, to relieve pressure from said pressure line upon overload. Said relief valve is herein diagrammatically vshown as being mounted within the casing 94, Ibut may be placed outside `of said casing, if desired.

The pressure line |00 leads to a valve ||0 in a valve manifold III. Said valve is diagrammatically shown as being a piston valve of a well known form and is normally in a position to release :duid to the return. When said valve is in the position shown in Figure l0, which is the position said valve will assume when the hand is removed from its control lever, fluid will flow from the line |06 through a passageway ||2 to a chamber |I3. Fluid will then flow through a hollow piston II4 of said valve, through a passageway I|5 in said valve manifold, to return to the tank |0| through a return line IIB. When said valve ||0 is in a depressed position, the piston I|4 will block the passageway I|2, and fluid under pressure will flow through a pressure line II1, a non-reversible check valve II8, a pressure line H9, to the rear elevating cylinder 14, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto. When it is desired to release pressure from the cylinder 14, the piston I|l is moved in an upward direction to uncover a passageway |20, leading to the chamber ||3 and directly connected with the pressure line H9. When said valve is in this position, the passageway ||2 will also be open and fluid will pass through the pressure line IIS, port |20, through the hollow piston H4, passageway IIS, and return line IIB, to the tank |0|. When the hand is removed from the control handle for said valve, the piston H4 is moved to the neutral position shown. The passageway l2@ will then be closed and pressure will .be held in the fluid cylinder 14 through the check valve I I8.

In a like manner, the pump 32 is adapted to supply uid under pressure to the forward righthand cylinder 14. A relief valve |22 is provided r in the pump casing and is connected between a pressure line |23 and the suction line |00. Said pressure line |23 leads to a valve |24, which is provided to control operation of the righthand planetary 3|. A pressure line |25 connects said valve |24 to a valve |20 on the opposite side of the machine from the valve |24. The Valve |25 is like the valve |25 andis provided to permit operation of the planetaries 3|, 3| from either side of the machine. Said valves |24 and I 25 are so arranged as to be yieldably held in a neutral position, when the hand is removed from the associated control handle thereof, and to hold pressure on the desired planetary operating cylinder when in a neutral position, so fluid under pressure will pass through said valves to supply pressure to the associated forward jack cylinder 14, during operation of the machine, as will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds. A pressure line |21 leads from the valve |20 to a valve |23 in the valve manifold |I|. Said valve operates in the same manner as the valve I I0 and is adapted to ley-pass fluid from the pump 02 and valves |24 and |20, or to release fluid from the iiuid cylinder 14 in the same manner as the valve I0, so will not herein be described in detail. A pressure line |30 leads from the pressure line |21 to the right-hand forward fluid cylinder 14, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto. A non-reversible check valve |3| is provided in said pressure line tohold pressuren said cylinder and toy permit fluid under pressure tozpassv therein when the Valve |29 is depressed to close the passageway to return. A return line |32` is :connected with the .pressure line |30, on the pressure side of the checkvalve. |3|, to permit the release of fluid pressure from said right-hand'V cylinder 'F4 through saidvalve. 12E.

The left-hand cylinder 'ifi is supplied with fluid under pressure from the kpump 93. .l A relief .Valve |31 is provided for saidpump. A pressure: line |33 leads fromsaid pump to a Valve |323, adjacent the Valvel, and provided for controlling the operation of the left-hand planetary '3L Said valve is herein shown .as ,being a rotary valve like the Valve |211. A pressure line |35 connects said valve ls with a Valve |36 on. the opposite side of the machine, to supply uid under pressure thereto. The .valve ISE islike the Valve |26 and is provided to permit operation. of the left-hand planetary 3| from either side of the machine. Said valves lf3/l and |36, `like the Valves |24 and |25, are yieldably held in a neutral position when the handv is removed from the associated control handle thereof, to permit iluid under pressure to pass through said Valves to the associated jack cylinder M, during operation of the machine. A pressure line |39 leads from the Valve lili? to a valve Mil in the manifold Said Valve is similar to the valves Il and l2@ and is provided to control the admission and release of fluid under pressure to the left-hand front cylinder lll in the same manner the valves llt and I'Zilcontrol the admission and release of fluid under pressure to the rear and right-hand front cylinders respectively. A pressure line lill is connected to the pressure line |39 and has a non-reversible check valve |42 therein. Said pressure line leads to the lefthand forward cylinder fl, for supplying uid under pressure thereto. 1A return line |63 is connected to said pressure line and to the valve Hill, to permit the return of fluid from the cylinder 'l to the tank illi through the valve Illl, when it is desired to release pressure from said left-hand forward cylinder.

It may be seen from the foregoing that each fluid pump 9|, @E and d3 is connected with a separate fluid cylinder lll, and. that a separate control Valve associated with each one of said pumps is provided to control the admission and release oi fluid to said separate cylinders. It may further be seen that fluid is supplied to said cylinders through non-reversible check valves, by blocking the flow of huid to the return, so as to prevent any lag in operation ofthe respective jacks after operation of the control handles for the respective jack operating valves. Thus, any one cylindermay be operated independently of the others and the cutter bar may be tilted as it is being elevated or lowered, to readily position it for cutting.

In order that the iluid circuits to the cylinders 55, and 58, t may be more clearly understood, the valve |312 illustrated in Figures` to 16 inclusive will now be briefly described, it yloeing understood that said valve is of the same construction as the valves Illi, |26 and l. Said valve includes a valve rotor V55 rotatably mounted in a cylindrical chamber l formed in a valve casing Il?. Said valve rotor is provided with a pair of spaced balancing passageways |'|8 and W9 extending therethrough, to balance the valve rotor when the pressure line is blocked by said rotor. Said'A passageway/'s extend diametrically through said rotor in different angular 'directions. vSaidrotor isalso provided with a pair of oppositelyl disposed milled uid passageways |80, extending across anouter portion thereefand in line'with the balancing passageway |18. Said'niilled passageways |80, |8 are connecte'dftogether `by .a plurality of passageways ISI, |8| extending across the rotorand spaced ironisaidbalancing passageway |18, to permit the ,passageco'f-uid' fromA one side of the rotor to the :other (see Figure 12). Said rotor is likewise provided with a pair of oppositely disposed milled passageways |82, |82 in line with the balancing `passageway |79. Passagaeways |83, |83 connect said milled passageways together (see Figure 14) Fuid under pressure enters the valve |34 through the pressure line |33. Said pressure line is connected with a port |3l extending into the casing Il'iparallel to the rotor |15 and opening into the chamber H6, in alignment with the passageways |80 andfi (see Figure 13). Fluid is exhausted from said valve through a port |65 communicating with the exhaust line 35 and extending into said casing parallel to said rotor and opening into the chamber |'6 in alignment with the passageway |80 and |82.

YFluid under pressure passes through the valve |313 and is conducted to the cylinder 5B, for controllingoperation of the high speed friction band for theleit-hand planetary 3|, when a control handle lill for said valve is turned to an extreme position in aclockwise direction or to the left, as indicated. in Figure 12. When said valve is inthis position, iluid will enter the passageway LEB Vthrough Vthe port ltd. VIt will then pass through the passageways lSl, |8| to the passageway |8ll, which communicates with a port |35 communicating with a pressure line |56. Fluid will thus .be conducted through said port It and pressure line i to the cylinder 56, to charge said cylinder and apply the brake band ll for the Vleft-hand planetary in an obvious manner.

When the Valve I3@ is inthis last named position, fluid will beexhausted from the cylinder 55 controlling koperation of the low speed friction band ilZfor the left-hand planetary 3| through a pressure line' lleading from said cylinder and communicating witha port |58 in the valve casing il?. Said port opens into the chamber H6 in alignment with the passageway |82 in the rotor llt (seeFigures 14 and l5). Fluid will thus' enter. the passageway |82 and pass through .therotor H5 through'the passageways |83, |83 and leave said rotor through the exhaust port |85.

Thus in the extreme clockwise .position 01"' the control handle i3?, the cylinder 56 for the lefthand high speed planetary will be charged and the cylinder 55 for the low speed planetary will :be discharged to cause the left-hand feed drum to be drivenA at a high positioning speed.

Thervalve rotor |l5 and the` passageways |86, i8@ therein are so arranged, however, that when the valve handlel |87 is turned in an opposite direction the port la@ will be blocked by said rotor until said rotor has been turned beyond a neutral position, and the port ISS will be open .to exhaust during the same period of movement of said rotor. Also, during this period of movement of said rotor, when the port |86 has been blocked, iiuid will pass directly through said valve. from the pressure line |33r to the exhaust line |35. :When said valve rotor is'in a neutral position the ports |85 and |58 will be blocked, to hold pressure on the cylinder 56 and to prevent fluid from entering the cylinder 55. In this position uid will pass from the pressure port |84 through the passageways |52, |82 and out the exhaust port |35, where it may either be returned to the tank lill or be used to operate the lefthand forward jack l'f, in the hereinbefore described manner.

x A pair of coil springs |50, |50 are provided to return the valve rotor |75 to a neutral position as soon as the hand is removed from the control handle. Said springs each have an outwardly turned inner end ISI, which inner ends abut opposite sides of a lug |92 projecting downwardly from said control handle. The opposite ends of said springs abut spaced stops |53, |93 projecting outwardly from said valve casing. (See Figure 16.)

When it is desired to supply fluid under pressure to the cylinder 55, for applying the low speed left-hand friction band 42, the valve rotor |15 is turned in a clockwise direction to an extreme position to the right. In this position fluid will pass from the pressure passageway |84, the milled passageway |82, through the passageways |83, |83, the opposite passageway |82, and out through the port S8, to and through the pressure line |53, to charge said cylinder. In this position of said valve rotor and control handle, fluid will be exhausted from the lefthand high speed control cylinder 55 through the milled passageway |85, passageway ll, and exhaust passageway |85. As soon as the hand is removed from the control handle, however, said valve rotor will be returned to a neutral position, holding pressure on the low speed control cylinder 55 and permitting fluid to pass through the exhaust port |85 to operate the left-hand jack l1, during operation of the machine at a slow feeding speed.

When it is desired to release pressure from the cylinder 55 the control handle |81 is turned to the left to an intermediate position between an extreme open position and a neutral position. ln a like manner, when it is desired to release pressure from the cylinder 55, said control handle is turned to the right to an intermediate position between an extreme position and a neutral position. Thus either cylinder 55 or 55 is charged by moving the control handle |51 in one direction and is discharged .by moving said control handle in an opposite direction, and when one cylinder is charged, the other is discharged.

A drain line |54 is connected between the valves |34 and |35 and has connection with the return line H leading to the tank lill, to permit fiuid leaking b-y the rotors |l'5 of said valves to drain back to the tank ||l l.

The right-hand planetary 3| is operated by either of the valves |24 or |26 in the same manner the left-hand planetary is operated by the valves |34 or |35. When the valve |24 is in a full open position to one side of its neutral position, pressure will pass from the pressure line |23 through a pressure line |44 to the righthand cylinder 55, to charge said valve and apply the right-hand cylinder 55, to charge said valve and apply the right-hand low speed friction band. When the hand is removed from the control handle for said valve, said control handle and valve will go to a neutral position holding pressure in the pressure line |44 and cylinder 55, but permitting fluid to 4oy-pass through said valve through the pressure line |25, the valve |25 and return to the tank mi, or to operate the right-hand jack Il, upon closing the valve |29, to prevent the return of fluid through said Valve.

When the valve |24 is turned to an extreme position in an opposite direction, fluid under pressure will be admitted through said valve from the pressure line |23, through a pressure line |47, to charge the right-hand cylinder 56 and apply the high-speed friction band for the right-hand planetary 3|. When the hand is released from the valve control handle, said valve will return to a neutral position to hold pressure in said pressure line |47 and the cylinder 55 and to permit fluid to b-y-pass from the pressure line |23 through said valve to the return.

Fluid pressure is released from either of said cylinders 55 or 56 by moving the valve control handle in one direction or another to a position between the neutral and full open positions of said valve, as has before been described with reference to the valve |34. Fluid leaking past the rotor of said valve is returned to the tank IUI through a drain line |50.

Since the coil springs |90, |50 return the control handle |8`| to a neutral position as soon as the hand is removed therefrom, and since fluid under pressure passes through the valve |24 on one side of the machine, to the associated control valve |25` on the opposite side of the machine to the valve |29, to operate one of the forward jacks or to pass through said valve |29 and return to the tank lill, and since said valves |24 and |25 may at the same time hold pressure on the desired associated high or low speed planetary operating cylinder, the high and low speeds of one planetary 5| can be controlled from the valve |24 on oneside ofthe machine or, from the valve I 26 on the opposite side of the machine and the asociated jack I1 can be operated during operation of the machine. The valves |34 and |35 being the same as, and being connected together in the saine manner as the valves |24 and |26, can thus control operation of the other planetary 3|, from leither side of the machine. The fluid connections between the Valves on opposite sides of the machine are thus so arranged that each valve is supplied with pressure whenever the hand is removed from the control handle vof the valve on the opposite side of the machine, thus permitting the associated planetary operating cylinder to be charged or dischargedfrom either side of the machine and permitting operation of the jacket Il, during operation of the machine.

It may be seen from the foregoing that the valves |24, |25, |34 and |35 are so arranged that fluid under pressure may be supplied to operate the jacks when any one of said valves is in a neutral position, holding pressure on an associated high or low speed friction band, thus permitting operation of said jacks while the` machine is being positioned for cutting or is being fed across a working place during the cutting operation, and permitting the cutter bar to be readily accommodated to cut out a band of impurities, where the bottom does not conform thereto. It may further be seen that the foregoing arrangement of valves permits the two planetaries to be operated together or independently of each other at either high or low frlctionally controlled speeds, and that said valves are so arranged as to prevent thev engagement ofthe-high and low speed friction bands of ,said planetaries at the same time..

During operation of the machine, when cutting from right to left, it is preferable to train one cable from the right-hand feed drum around 'and under a sheave |53 mounted on one side of the base I6, adjacent the rear end thereof, and forwardly from said sheave to and around a horizontally disposed sheave |58,.on the forward end of saidjbase. From said last-named sheave said cable may be trained laterally to the left and secured` at its free end to a hook |59 on the lower end of a jack |60, interposedbetween the mine floor and roof. Cable may also be trained from the left-hand feed drum 23 around a sheave |6| and laterally therefrom to a hook |62 on the upper end of a jack lia, to provide a uniform pull on the upper and lower ends `of the machine. Where, however, cutting is relatively soit, it'is only necessary to useone eedcable, pulling from the lower portion of the machine; Y

A-retarding drum |63 is-provided at the` rear end of the motori I3. Said retarding drum is rotatable about an axis-extending.longitudinally of the machine and is mounted: for free rotation with i respect thereto. A friction' band |64 is provided to engage said drum and retard rotation thereof, to enable said retarding drum to hold back therear end of the Ymachine in cases Awhere it tendsto advance ahead of the forward end of the machine, so as to keep the cutter bar i I substantially perpendicularto the coal face, or so as to keep therear end of themachine a slight distance behind the forward end thereof during cutting, to cause the cutter bar to cut lacross the face. atan advance angle.

When the machine has been sumped into the coal'V face and is in position to cutthereacross, the coal face is engaged by a horizontally extending pivoted deflecting arm IE5, vertically pivoted between a pair of spacedr lugs |55, |65 projecting forwardly from the forward end of the main frame .10, just beneath the advance side of the cutter bar (see Figure 5). Said arm is providedlwith 4a slot |51 engaged by a pin |68, dependingr from a cuttings collecting chute |69, mounted in the forward end ef the main frame lil, for longitudinal slidable movement with respect thereto. Said chute is provided with an upright outer.side wall lli! guided at its upper end in a longitudinal guide lll formed in the forward end of said main frame. A tension spring |12 `and flexible cable |13 are provided to engage said deectingarm with the coal face (see Figures 3 and 5). Said tension spring is connected to the machine frame at one of its ends and has said cable connected to its opposite end. Said cableis securediat `the rear end to said spring and extends forwardly therefrom around a sheave |14. From thence; it extends in a rearward direction and is connected at its free end to said chute so as to urgeI said chute in an outwardlyextended position withrespect to said'main frame. The side wall iilihasa forwardly projecting'advance wall portion H51 curved to yieldably engage the coal face, to forman extension of said chute and cause the cuttings discharged from the kerf to be propelled along said cuttings collecting chute bythe cutter chair-1 and be discharged to the retreating side of the machine through a cuttings passage |16, formed-in the upper side vof said main frame and conforming.substantially to thepath traversed bylsaid- 'cutter chain as it -turn's around the cutter chain sprocket. The arrangement just described prevents the accumulation of cuttings on theadeeaacacr Vance. side of themachine, thus making it unnecessary to shovel the cuttings from the advance side of the machine as the cutting operation progresses.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wishv to be construed as limiting my invention to the specic embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a korf-cutting machine of the type adapted to out a horiontal lerf in a mine wall above the ground, a base slidable on its bottom alonCt a mine bottom, a cutting element including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for mounting said cutting element for vertical adjustment with respect to said base and foi-,vertical tilting movement with respect thereto including a plurality of iluid pressure jacks, and a separate uuid pump connected with eaohof said jacks, for independently supplying fluid under pressure thereto.

2. In a Keri-cutting machine of the type adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in a mine Wall above the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting element including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for mounting said cutting element for vertical adjustment with respect to said base and for vertical tilting movement with respect .thereto including a plurality 0f iluid pressure jacks, a separate uuid pump connected with each of said` jacks, and a separate iluid control Valve interposed between each pump and jack, for supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks independently of or simultaneously with each other.

3. In a herr-cutting machine'of the type adjustable to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom alonga mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, three spaced fluid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base plate for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, and for tilting movement with respect thereto about transverse or longitudinal axes, and three pumps for selectively supplying fluid underpressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being associated with one of said jacks, to provide an independent source of supply of uid pressure thereto.

4. In a korf-cutting machine of the type adjustable to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its botto-m along a mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for Vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, three spaced fluid pressure jacks, for mounting said cutting element on said base plate for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, and for tilting movement with respect thereto about transverse or longitudinal axes, three pumps for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being connected with one of said jacks, to provide an independent source of supply of fluid pressure thereto, and a separate uid control valve interposed between each pump and jack.

5. In a vherr-cutting machine of the type adsaid pumps being connected to one of said jacks,

justable to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, three spaced liuid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base plate for verical adjustment with respect thereto, and for tilting movement with respect thereto about transverse or longitudinal axes, two of said jacks being at opposite sides of the forward end of said cutting element, and the third of said jacks being at the central part of the rear end of said cutting element, and all of said jacks being mounted on said base for limited pivotal movement with respect thereto about their lower ends, and three pumps for selectively supplying uid under pressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being associated with one of said jacks, to provide an independent source of supply of fluid pressure thereto.

6. In a kerf-cutting machine of the type adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, three spaced uid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base plate for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, and for tilting movement with respect thereto about transverse or longitudinal axes, two of said jacks being at opposite sides of the forward end of said cutting element, and the third of said jacks being at the central part of the rear end of said cutting element, and all of said jacks being mounted on said base for limited pivotal movement with respect thereto about their lower ends, three pumps for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being connected with one of said jacks, to provide an independent source of supply of duid pressure thereto, and a separate independently operable fluid control valve interposed between each pump and jack, said valves being normally positioned to by-pass fluid to the low pressure sides of said pumps, and being operative to supply fluid under pressure to said jacks by closing the by-pass lines to the low pressure sides of said pumps.

7. In a kerf-cutting machine of the type adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, a pair of independently operable feed drums for feeding said cutter bar into and across a coal face, a separate planetary geared reduction device connected with each of said feed drums for independently driving said feed drums, fluid pressure means for controlling operation of said planetarios, a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base for vertical adjustment and for tilting movement with respect thereto, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said control means for said planetaries, to permit independent operation of said planetaries, and for independently supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks permitting independent operation of said jacks including a plurality of fluid pumps, each one of for supplying uid under pressure thereto, and two of said pumps being connected with said control means for said planetarios, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto and for holding pressure thereon while said jacks are being operated or are in stationary positions.

8. In a herr-cutting machine of lthe type adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for feeding said cutter bar into and across a coal face including a pair of independently operable feed drums, a separate plural speed planetary geared reduction device for each of said feed drums, for independently driving said drums at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds, fluid pressure means for controlling operation of said planetaries, three spaced fluid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and for tilting movement with respect thereto about a plurality of transverse and longitudinal axes, and three pumps for selectively supplying uid under pressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being connected to one of said jacks to aord an independent source of supply of fluid pressure thereto, and two of said pumps being connected to the control means for said planetarios for supplying fluid under pressure thereto.

9. In a kerf-cutting machine of the type adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting element mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for feeding said cutter bar into and across a coal face including a pair of independently operable feed drums, a separate plural speed planetary geared reduction device associated with each of said feed drums, for independently driving said drums at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds, fluid pressure means for controlling operation of said planetaries, three spaced fluid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and for tilting movement with respect thereto about a plurality of transverse or longitudinal axes, three pumps for selectively supplying uid under pressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being connected to one of said jacks to alford an independent source of supply of fluid pressure thereto, two of said pumps also being connected to the control means for said planetarios, for independently supplying fluid under pressure thereto, and the connection from said two pumps to two of said jacks including a pair of fluid valves adapted to control operation of said fluid pressure control means for said planetarios.

10. In a Keri-cutting machine of the type adapted to cut horizontal lserfs at various elevations with respect to the ground, a base slidable on its bottom along a mine bottom, a cutting ele.- ment mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and including a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for feeding said cutter bar into and across a coal face including a pair of independently operable feed drums, a separate plural speed planetary geared reduction device associated with each of said feed drums, for independently driving said drums at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds, fluid pressure means for controlling operation of said planetaries, three spaced fluid pressure jacks for mounting said cutting element on said base for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and for tilting movement with respect thereto about a plurality of transverse or longitudinal axes, three pumps for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks, each one of said pumps being connected to one of said jacks, to afford an independent source of supply of fluid under pressure thereto, two of said pumps also being connected to the control means for said planetaries, for independently supplying fluid under pressure thereto, the connection from said two pumps to two of said jacks being adapted to supply fluid under pressure to' said control means for said planetariesv and including a pair of fluid valves adapted to control operation of said planetarios, and the return from said valves including a pair of valves for controlling operation of said fluid jacks.

1l. In a uid control system particularly adapted to elevate and tilt a cutter bar of a kerfcutting machine of the type adapted to be slidably movable along a mine bottom on its own bottom during the cutting operation, a plurality of fluid jacks arranged to elevate and tilt the kerf-cutting machine cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of supply of fluid under pressure to each jack, and a separate control valve associated with each pump and jack for independently controlling the admission and release of fluid under pressure to said jacks, said valves also serving to return fluid to the low pressure sides of said pumps and to release fluid pressure from said jacks while said pumps are in operation.

12. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to elevate and tilt a cutter bar of a kerfcutting machine of the type adapted to be slidably movable along a mine bottom on its own bottom during the cutting operation, a plurality of fluid jacks arranged to elevate and tilt the kerf-cutting machine cutter bar, a separate iiuid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of supply of fluid under pressure to each jack, a separate control valve associated with each pump and jack for independently controlling the admission and release of' fluid under pressure to said jacks, said valves normally being connected to return fluid to the low pressure sides of said pumps, but being operable to close the return passageway to supply fluid under pressure to said jacks and to release fluid from said jacks While said pumps are in operation, and

check valves in the pressure lines leading to said jacks, said check valves being adapted to maintain fluid under pressure in said jacks when said control valves are normally open to the return.

13. In a fluid control system for controlling operation of a kerf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground while slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom, and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, and the connections from two of said pumps to two of said jacks including control valves for controlling operation of said fluid pressure control means for said feeding means.

14. In a fluid co-ntrol system for controlling operation of a Keri-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground While slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom, and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, the fluid connections to two of said jacks including a pair of control valves for controlling operation of said fluid pressure control means for said feeding means, and a pair of control valves for said jacks serving as a return for fluid supplied by said pumps.

l5. In a fluid control system for controlling operation of a korf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground while slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom, and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, and the fluid connections to two of said jacks including a pair of control valves for controlling operation of said fluid pressure control means for said feedingmeans and a pair of control valves for said jacks, said last mentioned valves normally serving to return fluid to the low pressure sides of said pumps and to release fluid pressure from said jacks while said pumps are in operation.

16. In a fluid control system for controlling operation ofa kerf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to out horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground While slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom, and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to.

each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, the fluid connections to two of said jacks including a pair of control valves for controlling operation of said fluid pressure control means for said feeding means and a pair of control valves for said jacks, said last mentioned valves normally serving to return fluid to the low pressure sides of said pumps and to release uid pressure from said jacks while said pumps are in operation, and check Valves in the pressure lines leading to said jacks, said check valves being adapted to maintain fluid under pressure in said jacks when said control valves are normally open to the return.

17. In a uid control system for controlling operation of a kerf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground while slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom, and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate uid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for ccntrolling operation of said feeding means, the fluid connections to two of said jacks including two pairs of control valves for controlling operation of said fluid pressure control means for said feeding means, a pair of control valves for said jacks serving to control operation of said jacks and serving as a return for fluid supplied by said pumps, and one valve of each of said pairs of feed control valves being connected in series with said jack control valves and adapted to operate said control means for said feeding means and serve as passageways for fluid to said jacks and to the low pressure return through said jack control valves.

18. In a fluid control system for controlling operation of a kerf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground while slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom. and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality Y of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, the fluid connections to two of said jacks including a pair of control valves for controlling operation of said iiuid pressure control means for said feeding means, said valves being movable to one position to supply fluid under pressure to said control means for said feeding means, and being automatically movable to a neutral position to hold pressure on the desired control means for said feeding means and to by-pass fluid under pressure through said valves to said jacks, to permit operation of said jacks during operation of said feeding means.

19. In a fluid control system for controlling operation of a kerf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted tn cut horizontal kerfs at various elevations with respect to the ground while slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom,

and having exible feeding means for feeding said i:

cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, the fluid connections to two of said jacks including a pair of control valves for controlling operation of said iiuid pressure control means for said feeding means, a control valve for each of said jacks, each of said control valves serving as a return for nuid supplied by an associated pump, and said control valves for said control means for said feeding means being movable to one position to supply uid under pressure to said control means for said feeding means and being automatically movable to a neutral position to hold pressure on the desired control means for said feeding means and to by-pass fluid under pressure to said control valves for said jacks, to permit said jack control valves to supply fluid pressure to said associated jacks by closing the passage of iiuid to the return.

2). In a fluid control system for controlling operation of a kerf-cutting machine of the type having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar adapted to out horizontal kerfs atvarious elevations with respect to the ground while slidably moving along the ground on its own bottom, and having iiexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and a plurality of fluid pressure jacks for supporting and elevating and tilting said cutter bar, a separate fluid pump for each of said jacks providing an independent source of fluid under pressure to each jack, fluid pressure control means for controlling operation of said feeding means, the fluid connections to two of said jacks including a pair of control valves for controlling operation of said fluid pressure control means for said feeding means, a control valve for each 0f said jacks, each of said control valves serving as a return for fluid supplied by an associated pump, and said control valves for said control means for said feeding means being movable to one position to supply uid under pressure to said control means for said feeding means and being automatically movable to a neutral position to hold pressure on the desired control means for said feeding means and to by-pass fluid under pressure to said control valves for said jacks, to permit said jack control valves to supply fluid pressure to said associated jacks by closing the passage of fluid to the return, and check valves in the pressure lines leading to said jacks, said check valves being adapted to maintain fluid in said jacks, when said jack control valves are normally open to the return.

2l. In a Keri-cutting machine, a base, a cutting element including a cutter bar having a cuttei` chain movable thereabout, means for mounting said cutting element for vertical adjustment with respect to said base and for vertical tilting movement with respect thereto including a plurality of fluid Pressure jacks, a separate fluid pump connected with each of said jacks, and a separate fluid control valve for each of said jacks, for supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks independently of or simultaneously with each other, said valves being normally positioned to bypass duid to the low pressure sides of said pumps, and being operative to supply duid under pressure to said jacks by closing the by-pass lines to the low pressure sides of said pumps.

WILLIAM W'. SLOANE. 

